Nilgiris (mountains)
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| Nilgiri Hills | |
|---|---|
 Nilgiri Hills from atop Doddabetta |
|
| Elevation | 2637 m (8652 ft) |
| Location | Tamil Nadu, South India |
| Range | Western Ghats |
| Type | Fault Description |
| Age of rock | Cenozoic, 100 to 80 mya |
| Easiest route | NH 67 (Satellite view) or Nilgiri Mountain Railway |
| Translation | Blue Mountains (Sanskrit) |
The Nilgiri (Tamil : நீலகிரி or literally: Blue Mountains), often referred to as the Nilgiri Hills, are a range of mountains with at least 24 peaks above 2,000 meters, in the westernmost part of Tamil Nadu at the junction of Karnataka and Kerala in Southern India. They are part of the larger Western Ghats mountain chain making up the western edge of the Deccan Plateau. The hills are separated from the Karnataka plateau to the north by the Noyar River and from the Anaimalai Hills and Palni Hills to the south by the Palghat Gap. The Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu lies within these mountains. Its latitudinal and longitudinal dimensions are 130 Km (Latitude : 10.38 to 11.49 N) by 185 Km (Longitude : 76.0 E to 77.15 E). The high quality Nilgiri tea is cultivated, packaged and sold in this area.[1]
The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (6,000+ km²), including all of Mukurthi National Park in the south-eastern corner of the Nilgiris, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.[2]
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which includes the Nilgiri Hills, is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
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[edit] Peaks in the Nilgiris
showing some peaks
Doddabetta Peak, 4 km east south east from Udhagamandalam, , with a height of 2,637 metres (8,652 ft) is the highest point in the Nilgiris and the southern extent of the range. . Hecuba (height: 2,375 metres (7,792 ft)), Kattadadu (height: 2,418 metres (7,933 ft)) and Kulkudi (height: 2,439 metres (8,002 ft)) are closely linked peaks in the west of Doddabetta range and nearby Udhagamandalam.
Snowdon (height: (2,530 metres (8,301 ft)) is the northern extent of the range. Club Hill (height: 2,448 metres (8,031 ft)) and Elk Hill (height: 2,466 metres (8,091 ft)) are significant elevations in this range. Snowdon, Club Hill and Elk Hill along with Doddabetta, form the impressive Udhagamandalam Valley.
Devashola (height: 2,261 metres (7,418 ft)), notable for its Blue gum trees, is in the south of Doddabetta range. Kulakombai (height 1707 M.1,707 metres (5,600 ft)) is east of the Devashola. The Bhavani Valley and the Lambton's peak range of Coimbatore district stretch from here.
Hullikal Durg (height: 562 metres (1,844 ft)), in the Kannada language, Hulikal Durg means Tiger Rock Fort. The Sanskrit name of his place is Bakasura Parvata. It is 3 km. south east of Coonoor. Tropical Pine forest flourishes at the base of this hill, while the valleys support green foliage.
Coonoor Betta (2,101 metres (6,893 ft)) is also called Teneriffe. It is on the northern side of the gorge, accommodating the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor.
Rallia Hill (height: 2,248 metres (7,375 ft)) is in the midst of a reserved forest and almost equidistant from Udhagamandalam and Kotagiri.
Dimhatti Hill (height: 1,788 metres (5,866 ft)) is above the Gajalahatti pass, which provided a short cut from Mysore to the caranatic plains and was of much strategic importance in the eighteenth century. This peak, dedicated to the Deity Rangaswamy is considered holy by the people of the surrounding villages.
[edit] Nilgiris Peaks in Mukurthi National Park
On the Nilgiri Plateau, the Kundah range of the Nilgiri hills is a ridge on the south-western side of Mukurthi National Park bordering Kerala. With elevations greater than the general level of the plateau, the range possesses some peaks close to the height of Doddabetta.
Avalanche hill of this range has twin-peaks of the Kudikkadu (height: 2,590 metres (8,497 ft)) and the Kolaribetta (height: 2,625 metres (8,612 ft)). Derbetta (or Bear Hill) (height: 2,531 metres (8,304 ft)) and Kolibetta (height: 2,494 metres (8,182 ft)), south of the Ouchterlony valley, are a continuation of the Kundah range.
Pichalbetta (height: 2,544 metres (8,346 ft)), Nilgiri Peak (height: 2,474 metres (8,117 ft)) and Mukurthi Peak (height: 2554 M.2,554 metres (8,379 ft)) are the important heights of this area. These 3 hills of the Wynaad District are generally low in relation to other heights of the district; but are distinguished in relation to the generally uniform level of this area. The highest peak in this part of the district, is the Maruppanmudi hill (height: 1,528 metres (5,013 ft)) , 10 km. northwest of Gudalur.
Other heights deserving notice are: Needle Rock, Hadiabetta Hill (height: 1,155 metres (3,789 ft)), Glulur hill (height: 1,148 metres (3,766 ft)). Chinna Doddabetta (height: 2,392 metres (7,848 ft)) is about five km. south of Udhagamandalam.
Konabetta: (height: 2,637 metres (8,652 ft)) is about 5 km, north-northeast of Udhagamandalam. This is also called Sigur Peak. Koodal Betta (height: 2,183 metres (7,162 ft)) means Echoing rock. It is about 13 km north-east of Udhagamandalam. Kundah Betta (height: 1,998 metres (6,555 ft)) is About 10 km south-southwest of Udhagamandalam. Kundah Mugi (height: 2,344 metres (7,690 ft)) is about 11 km east of Udhagamandalam,
Dolphin's Nose is a promonotory over the Kotagiri valley about 6 km. east-northeast of Coonoor. The place provides an excellent view of the Catherine falls and a vast expanse of verdant plains. Ibex Hill is about 17 km., west-southwest of Udhagamandalam. It is a straight cliff in the proximity of Sigur Pass.
Muttunadu Betta (height: 2,323 metres (7,621 ft)) is about 5 Km, north northwest of Udhagamandalam. Tamrabetta (Coppery Hill) (height: 2,120 metres (6,955 ft)) is about 8 km. south east of Udhagamandalam. Vellangiri (Silvery Hill) (height: 2,120 metres (6,955 ft)) is 16 km west-northwest of Udhagamandalam. [3]
[edit] List of peaks in the Nilgiri Hills
| Local name | Height | English name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinna Doddabetta | 2,392 metres (7,848 ft) | ||
| 2,448 metres (8,031 ft) | Club Hill | ||
| Coonoor Betta | 2,101 metres (6,893 ft) | Teneriffe | |
| Derbetta | 2,531 metres (8,304 ft) | Bear Hill | |
| Devashola | 2,261 metres (7,418 ft) | ||
| Dimhatti Hill | 1,788 metres (5,866 ft) | ||
| Doddabetta Peak | 2,637 metres (8,652 ft) | ||
| Dolphin's Nose | |||
| 2,466 metres (8,091 ft) | Elk Hill | ||
| Glulur hill | 1,148 metres (3,766 ft) | ||
| Hadiabetta Hill | 1,155 metres (3,789 ft) | ||
| Hecuba | 2,375 metres (7,792 ft) | ||
| Hullikal Durg | 0,562 metres (1,844 ft) | Tiger Rock Fort | |
| Ibex Hill | |||
| Kattadadu | 2,418 metres (7,933 ft) | ||
| Kolaribetta | 2,625 metres (8,612 ft) | ||
| Kolibetta | 2,494 metres (8,182 ft) | ||
| Konabetta | 2,066 metres (6,778 ft) | Sigur Peak. | |
| Koodal Betta | 2,183 metres (7,162 ft) | Echoing rock | |
| Kudikkadu | 2,590 metres (8,497 ft) | ||
| Kulakombai | 1,707 metres (5,600 ft) | ||
| Kulkudi | 2,439 metres (8,002 ft) | ||
| Kundah Betta | 1,998 metres (6,555 ft) | ||
| Kundah Mugi | 2,344 metres (7,690 ft) | ||
| Muttunadu Betta | 2,323 metres (7,621 ft) | ||
| Mukurthi Peak | 2,554 metres (8,379 ft) | ||
| Maruppanmudi hill | 1,528 metres (5,013 ft) | ||
| Needle Rock | |||
| Nilgiri Peak | 2,474 metres (8,117 ft) | ||
| Pichalbetta | 2,544 metres (8,346 ft) | ||
| 2,248 metres (7,375 ft) | Rallia Hill | ||
| 2,530 metres (8,301 ft) | Snowdon | ||
| Tamrabetta | 2,120 metres (6,955 ft) | Coppery Hill | |
| Vellangiri | 2,120 metres (6,955 ft) | Silvery Hill |
[edit] Flora
Over 2700 species of flowering plants, 160 species of fern and fern allies, countless types of flowerless plants, mosses, fungi, algae, land lichens are found in the sholas of the Nilgiris. No other Hill station has so many exotic species.[4]
Much of the Nilgiris natural Montane grasslands and shrublands interspersed with sholas has been much disturbed or destroyed by extensive tea plantations, easy motor vehicle access and [5] extensive commercial planting and harvesting of non-native eucalyptus and wattle plantations (Acacia dealbata, Acacia mearnsii and cattle grazing. In addition there is one large, and several smaller hydro-electric impoundments in the area.[6]
Threatened plants of the Nilgiris include: Miliusa nilagirica (Vulnerable), Ceropegia decaisneana Rare, Ceropegia pusilla (Rare), Senecio kundaicus (Endangered), Youngia nilgiriensis (Endangered), Impatiens neo-barnesii (Endangered), Impatiens nilagirica Endangered, Euonymus angulatus (Endangered), Euonymus serratifolius (Endangered), Commelina wightii (Vulnerable), Ceropegia decaisneana (Rare), Ceropegia pusilla (Rare) and many more. [7]
[edit] Visitor information
The Nilgiri hills can be reached by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and by motor vehicle over five separate Nilgiri Ghat Roads.
A good way to enjoy the beauty of the Nilgiris is to trek its slopes. Some of the trekking routes are:
- Ooty, Parson's Valley, Porthimund, Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association hut (NWLEA), Mukurthi Peak, Mukurthi Dam, Ooty.
- Ooty, Upper Bhavani, Emerald, Avalanche via Kolaribetta, Ooty. (Accommodation at Upper Bhavani Forest guest house)
- Ooty, Western Catchment 2, via T.R. Bazaar, Nilgiri Peak, Mukurti Peak, Sispara Pass via Western Catchment-2 and 1, Bangitappal, Ooty.
- Ooty, Ebbanad, Segur, Anaikatti, Sirur, Theppakadu, Ooty.
- Ooty, Pykara, Glenmorgan, Singara (Hydro PowerStation), Mudumalai, Solur Village, Ooty.
- Coonoor, Lamb's Rock, Lady Canning's Seat, Dolphin's Nose, Law's Falls, Droog Fort, Coonoor.
The best trekking seasons are April-June and September-December.[8] Application for trekking permits should be made in advance with the Wildlife Warden, Mahalingam buildings, Coonoor Road, Udhagamandalam – 643 001 ; Phone: 0423- 2444098[9]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Nilgiri Tea,Majumdat Tea Co., retrieved 9/2/2007Facts
- ^ UNESCO, World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats (sub cluster nomination), retrieved 4/20/2007 World Heritage sites, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster
- ^ District Administration, Nilgiris (8/20/2007) National Informatics Centre, Nilgiris, retrieved 8/31/2007 Hills and Peaks
- ^ The District Collector, Collector's Office, Udhagamandalam, The Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, General Information, retrieved 9/2/2007RARE TREES FRUITS FLOWERS & ANIMALS
- ^ Davidar, ERC, Distribution and Status of the Nilgiri Tahr Bombay Natural History Society 75(3): 815-844
- ^ Rice, C G Dr (1984) US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, USA, "The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr", Tahr Foundation, retrieved 4/17/2007"The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr"
- ^ Nayar & Sastry (1987-88) Red Data Book, Plants of India Threatened Plants of Tamil Nadu
- ^ Venugopal Dharmalingam (7/8/2002) The Hindu, retrieved 8/25/2007Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain
- ^ K. Kalyanasundaram (2005) "Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu - Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - National Park", Tamil Electronic Library, retrieved 4/4/2007Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu
[edit] References
The District Collector, Collector's Office, Udhagamandalam, The Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, retrieved 9/2/2007Welcome to Queen of Hills - The Nilgiris
[edit] External links
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